Woman stands in front of white board full of math equations, calling on students with their hands raised

Online Professional Education

Teacher Licensure Program

Blackburn College is meeting the teacher shortage crisis in Illinois by accelerating the training and mentoring of highly qualified educators for areas most in need.

In just three (3) semesters, you can learn with our tremendous Teacher Education Department, gain hands-on experience in the classroom, and officially enter the profession as a licensed educator by Fall 2026. And Blackburn-trained educators know their stuff — 96% of Teacher Licensure Program completers have successfully earned their Illinois teaching license!

Students deserve excellent teachers, and you deserve the best preparation available. Help change lives and make a difference in your community with Blackburn!

Robust Online Program

Comprehensive focus on reading and writing in content areas, with experts preparing you to lead your own classroom

Mentoring & Personal Attention

Faculty teach live online and offer direct support, a community is available to help prepare you for success

Accelerated & Accessible

The program works around your schedule, no need to travel to campus, and takes just 3 semesters to complete

Special Education

Blackburn is the only institution in the state of Illinois to offer Special Education pathway

Licensure Areas

This program is designed for returning students with degrees in fields other than education who wish to obtain teaching licensure in the following content areas:

Middle Grades, 5-8
  • English
  • History / Social Science
  • Mathematics
  • Science
Secondary Grades, 9-12
  • English
  • History / Social Science
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
Additional Content Areas
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Physical Education
  • Spanish & Bilingual Education
  • Special Education
"Blackburn offers a great balance between content knowledge, classroom management, and support. They helped me prepare to successfully obtain my license, but I also benefited from the experience and mentorship provided by the faculty. It helped me become confident not only in my ability to teach but also in interacting with students. The coursework schedule was not stressful, even while working full-time. I recommend this program to anyone wishing to become an educator." Noelia Martinez-Voigt TLP Certificate Spring 2023

Admission Requirements

Due to limited space, Blackburn is currently accepting applications for the following candidates:

  • Candidates accepted as Golden Apple Accelerators

OR

  • Candidates who will be employed at a school during the upcoming school year in any of the content areas listed above.

Other requirements include:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), students with advanced degrees from accredited institutions are excused from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of content coursework in official transcripts for admission.

Tuition & Fees

Blackburn College fees for the 2025-2026 academic year will be determined by the Board of Trustees in October 2024.
 

No hidden fees, increases or additional testing is required by Blackburn College to complete the TLP.

 

Content Area Tests are required by the State of Illinois to officially earn a teaching license. Read more about the content tests and fees at Illinois Licensure Testing System.

Financial Assistance

Blackburn College was one of the first higher education partners for Golden Apple’s Accelerators initiative in 2019. As an Accelerator, Golden Apple covers tuition and fees at Blackburn for aspiring educators while also providing a stipend to help alleviate participants’ financial pressures. Learn more and apply for this unique opportunity at Golden Apple Accelerators Program.

You also may be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Applying for financial assistance and need-based scholarships begins with filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to include Blackburn College’s school code of 001639.

Questions about FAFSA? Contact Alexis Brown in Financial Aid.

Complete Your FAFSA

 

Questions? Contact Us!

Department of Teacher Education

Dr. Lynette Piontek

Professor of Education; Director of Online Education; Golden Apple Liaison

Rahme 113

217.854.5692
Academic Support

Kelsey Farris

Program Navigation Advisor

Ludlum 106

217.854.5587
Admissions

Alexis Brown

Director of Financial Aid

Ludlum 115

217.854.5511

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step. Apply today to start changing lives with Blackburn's Teacher Licensure Program!

Apply Now